CHARACTER INPUT DEVICE FOR CELLULAR PHONE AND THE LIKE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device allowing manual character input by a single hand holding of an apparatus while requiring the smaller number of operations than that in input operation using numeric keys in a portable terminal such as a cellular phone and a small apparatus such as a remote controller. SOLUTION: When a comparatively simple auxiliary key is operated while holding an apparatus by means of fingers except a thumb of the hand holding the apparatus, an input result equal to that obtained by pressing numeric keys several times can be obtained by the smaller number of operations. By simple selection whether the auxiliary key is used or not, input of characters with a single operation by this new method or following a conventional method of sequential operation can be selectively used. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT